Subject: USS Nautilus (SS168) - Report of 11th
War Patrol
A. PROLOGUE
27 June, 1944
1325 IK Arrived DARWIN, North Territory from
10th War Patrol. Made minor voyage repairs and
loaded for special missions to be conducted on
11th War Patrol.
B. NARRATIVE
30 June, 1944
1830 IK Lieutenant Commander George Francis ROWE
A-V(T), USNR, reported aboard with party of
twenty-two (22) men for transportation to
vicinity of SABLAYAN POINT, MINDORO. Four (4)
additional Army enlisted men were received aboard
for transportation to LEYTE and BOHOL.
1835 IK Underway in accordance with Commander
Task Group 71.1 Secret Operation Order 82-44.
2121 IK Sighted running lights of a plane
bearing 313 deg T, range 13 miles. (Plane
Contract No. 1).
1 July, 1944
0609 IK Made dawn dive.
0659 IK Surfaced.
0944 IK SD radar contact at 5 miles closing.
Sighted plane from bridge. Plane believed to be
a BEAUFORT. (Plane Contract No. 2). Plane
appeared to be heading across our bow on a
zigzagging course, made a deceptive turn away and
then headed in.
0945 IK Bombed and strafed by a plane while on
the surface. No damage sustained. Made quick
dive. (Lat 10-24 S Long 128-40 E). This plane
may have been a LILLY.
1056 IK Surfaced.
1220 IK SD radar contact at 36 miles. (Plane
Contact No. 3).
1530 IK SD radar contact at 26 miles. (Plane
Contact No. 4). Sighted three planes bearing 255
deg T on approximate course 330 deg T.
1838 IK Sighted TIMOR bearing 311 deg T.
1905 IK Sighted LETI Island bearing 351 deg T.
2248 IK Sighted KISAR Island bearing 306 deg T.
2 July, 1944
0038 IK Sighted ROMANO Island bearing 005 deg T.
0111 IK Sighted NYATA Island bearing 357 deg T.
0230 IK Sighted WETAR Island bearing 230 deg T.
0237 IK Radar interference on SJ radar bearing
337 deg T to 007 deg T. (Lat 07-33 S Long
127-03 E).
0333 IK SJ radar contact at 020 deg T, range
12,000 years. Believed this to be USS Harder.
Maneuvered to avoid. (Surface Contact No. 1).
0628 IK Made dawn dive.
0706 IK Surfaced.
3 July, 1944
0052 IK Sighted BURU Island bearing 045 deg T.
0507 IK Sighted SANAHA Island bearing 007 deg T.
0623 IK Made dawn dive.
0702 IK Surfaced. Sighted thin smoke and masts
of two small ships. (Surface Contact No. 2).
Commenced approach.
0729 IK Made quick dive for torpedo approach.
0732 IK Manned Battle Stations Submerged.
0900 IK Had good look at both ships which now
appeared to be small escort-type day cruisers
painted gray with white numerals on the bow. Not
suitable torpedo targets. Secured from Battle
Stations. Observed ships until out of sight and
at 1103 IK surfaced.
1106 IK Sighted small sail bearing 105 deg T.
(Surface Contact No. 3). Avoided.
1237 IK Sighted LIFUMATOLA Island bearing 350 deg T.
1731 IK Sighted BACHAN Island bearing 054 deg T.
4 July, 1944
0032 IK Crossed Equator at Longitude 125-03 E.
0422 IK Passed TIFORE Island abeam to starboard,
distance 18 miles.
0622 IK Made dawn dive.
0701 IK Surfaced.
0722 IK Sighted BIARO Island bearing 331 deg T.
0812 IK Sighted distant smoke bearing 277 deg T
apparently in BANGKA Straits. (Surface Contact No. 4).
0826 IK SD radar contact at 14.5 miles. (Plane
Contact No. 5).
0827 IK With range closed to 12 miles, made
quick dive.
1144 IK Heard one distant depth charge.
1159 IK Sound reported two "pingers" at 160 deg
T on 18 Kcs, weak and searching. (Lat 01-48 N
Long 125-38 E).
1203 IK Heard two more depth charges, closer but
distant.
1210 IK Weak and fading screws at 160 deg T.
1321 IK Heard last of weak and intermittent echo
ranging.
1348 IK Up to periscope depth and all clear.
1445 IK Surfaced.
1515 IK Sighted two planes bearing 180 deg T,
range 14 miles. (Plane Contact No. 6).
1558 IK Sighted small sail bearing 317 deg T,
range 9 miles. (Surface Contact No. 5).
1615 IK Sighted plane bearing 206 deg T, range
14 miles. (Plane Contact No. 7).
1640 IK Completed transit of BANGKA Passage.
2122 IK Observed radar interference on SJ radar
screen bearing 233 dg T drawing to the left.
(Lat 02-33 N Long 124-10 E).
2156 IK Lost all indication of radar
interference.
5 July, 1944
0631 IK Made dawn dive.
0713 IK Surfaced.
1159 IK Sighted small sail bearing 357 deg T.
(Surface Contact No. 6).
1615 IK Sighted TAWITAWI Island bearing 349 deg T.
1642 IK Sighted faint smoke and lone mast
bearing 320 deg T in SIBUTU Passage. (Surface
Contact No. 7).
1800 IK Commenced transit of SIBUTU Passage.
1937 IK Sighted two sails in eastern side of
passage on a southerly course. Surface Contact
No. 8). Avoided.
2052 IK Sighted a sail bearing 340 deg T in
western side of passage. (Surface Contact No.
9). Avoided.
2138 IK Completed transit of SIBUTU Passage.
6 July, 1944
0113 IK Completed transit of passage between
PEARL Bank and DOC CAH Island.
0634 IK Made dawn dive.
0713 IK Surfaced.
0718 IK Sighted JOLO Island bearing 144 deg T.
1110 IK Sighted MINDANAO Island bearing 112 deg T.
2135 IK Sighted PANAY Island bearing 030 deg T.
7 July, 1944
0430 IK Sighted BATBATAN Island bearing 016 deg T.
0546 IK Sighted MANIQUIN Island bearing 334 deg T.
0629 IK Made dawn dive.
1128 IK Sighted MINDORA Island bearing 330 deg
T, distance 40 miles.
1925 IK Surfaced.
2323 IK Sighted PANDAN Islands bearing 355 deg T.
8 July, 1944
0203 IK Disembarked three (3) men by rubber boat
to conduct day reconnaissance of NORTH PANDAN
Island.
0325 IK Reconnaissance party reported safely
ashore.
0627 IK Made dawn dive for periscope
reconnaissance of beach.
0833 IK Sighted small sail bearing 157 deg T.
(Surface Contact No. 10). This sail was in sight
practically the entire day.
1117 IK Sighted small patrol craft on a
southerly course. (Surface Contact No. 11).
Patrol boat proceeded south to about SABLAYAN
Point and at about noon reversed course for Cape
CALIVITE.
1430 IK Lost sight of patrol boat.
1602 IK Sighted pre-arranged security signals on
NORTH PANDAN Island.
2052 IK Surfaced.
2149 IK SJ radar contact on sail at 073 deg T,
6,750 yards.
2152 IK Opened hatches and commenced breaking
out cargo and rubber boats. During the unloading
the ship was hove to at an average distance of
500 years from the beach with this distance at
times down to 250 yards.
9 July, 1944
0203 IK Last boat load of cargo and men left the
ship. It required four trips to transfer 12 tons
of stores and 19 men.
0205 IK Set course at four-engine speed to clear
area.
0335 IK Sighted AMBULONG Island.
0554 IK Sighted sail bearing 075 deg T, range 4
miles. (Surface Contact No. 12).
0633 IK Made dawn dive.
2013 IK Surfaced.
2215 IK Sighted MANIQUIN Island bearing 102 deg T.
2323 IK Sighted BATBATAN Island bearing 109 deg T.
10 July, 1944
0034 IK SJ radar contact on sail at 260 deg T,
4,000 yards. (Surface Contact No. 13). Avoided.
0630 IK Made dawn dive.
0712 IK Surfaced.
0837 IK Sighted NEGROS Island.
1126 Ik Sighted two sails bearing 057 deg T.
1127 IK Sighted a sail bearing 107 deg T.
1139 IK Sighted a fourth sail bearing 195 deg T.
1156 IK Sighted three additional sails bearing
101 deg T. (Surface Contact No. 14).
1340 IK Sighted MINDANAO Island bearing 144 deg T.
1557 IK Sighted SIQUIJOR Island bearing 077 deg T.
1705 IK Sighted two small sails bearing 207 deg
T. Surface Contact No. 15).
1728 IK Sighted a third sail bearing 249 deg T,
range 10 miles. (Surface Contact No. 16).
2151 IK Passed APO Island abeam to port,
distance 9 miles.
2307 IK Passed SIQUIJOR Island abeam to port,
distance 9 miles.
11 July, 1944
0010 IK Sighted sail bearing 155 deg T, range 4
miles. (Surface Contact No. 17).
0410 IK Sighted sail bearing 152 deg T, range 5
miles. (Surface Contact No. 18).
0412 IK Passed BOHOL Island abeam to port,
distance 15 miles.
0607 IK Made dawn dive. Conducted submerged
patrol in eastern part of MINDANAO Sea.
2004 IK Surfaced.
12 July, 1944
0619 IK Made dawn dive. Conducted submerged
patrol in eastern part of MINDANAO Sea.
1955 IK Surfaced.
2258 IK Entered SURIGAO Strait.
13 July, 1944
0003 IK SJ radar contact bearing 025 deg T,
range 6,800 yards. (Surface Contact No. 19).
0005 IK Sighted what appeared to be a
medium-sized sailboat. Maneuvered to avoid.
0152 IK Passed HIBUSON Islands abeam to
starboard at 6 miles.
0601 IK Made dawn dive. Conducted submerged
reconnaissance of LAGOMA. Security signals were
not observed.
2027 IK Surfaced.
14 July, 1944
0555 IK Made dawn dive. Conducted submerged
reconnaissance at alternate spot off SAN ROQUE.
0742 IK Sighted proper security signals.
1830 IK Noted considerable boat activity and
about five hundred men on the beach north of SAN
ROQUE.
1910 IK Observed a small banca flying a very
clean set of American Colors standing out from
the beach with four men.
1943 IK Surfaced.
1944 IK Colonel KANGLEON came aboard.
1948 IK Opened the deck hatches and commenced
striking cargo topside.
2030 IK First boat came alongside to receive
cargo. During the unloading the ship was hove to
at an average distance of 600 yards from the
beach. After the initial wait for boats the
unloading went well. There were "many boats" and
of good size, and the ship never lacked boats to
load. Colonel KANGLEON'S organization was good,
and both he and his men had only one desire -
guns and ammunition.
15 July, 1944
0041 IK All cargo clear of the ship and all
shore-based personnel ashore. In addition to the
regular assigned cargo the ship delivered the
following dry stores: 250 Lbs. corned beef, 150
Lbs. cured ham, 350 Lbs. cured bacon, 50 Lbs.
powdered eggs and 200 Lbs. white sugar. Set
course at three and seven-eighths engine speed
for the 100 fathom curve.
0129 IK Made trim dive. (Diving time 1 minute
59 seconds).
0144 IK Surfaced.
0331 IK SJ radar contact bearing 140 deg T,
range 3,700 yards.
0334 IK Sighted contact from bridge. Appeared
to be a sail. (Surface Contact No. 20).
0430 IK Entered MINDANAO Sea.
0436 IK Sighted the first of four medium-sized
sails on an easterly course, average range 5,000
years. (Surface Contact No. 21).
0528 IK Sighted BOHOL Island bearing 271 deg T,
distance 40 miles.
0614 IK Sighted CAMIGUIN Island bearing 211 deg
T, distance 35 miles.
0621 IK Made dawn dive.
1954 IK Surfaced.
16 July, 1944
0230 IK Entered SULU Sea.
0613 IK Made dawn dive to conduct submerged
reconnaissance off BALATONG Point.
0737 IK Sighted proper security signals.
1925 IK Observed two boats standing out from
BALATONG Point.
1947 IK Surfaced.
1958 IK Colonel ABCEDE came aboard. Received
special cargo consisting of one box and two
packages. Delivered 184 Lbs. corned beef, 28
Lbs. canned bacon, 12 Lbs. baking powder, 1`-3/4
cases of .45 Cal. Ammunition and a moderate
amount clerical supplies.
2017 IK Set course for SIBUTU Passage.
2304 IK SJ radar contact bearing 217 deg T,
range 3,200 yards. Sighted 4 or 5 small objects
from the bridge. Maneuvered to avoid. (Surface
Contact No. 22).
17 July, 1944
0055 IK SJ radar contact at 112 deg T, range
8,550 yards. (Surface Contact No. 23). Lost
contact 4 minutes later.
0307 IK Sighted bright glow over the horizon
bearing 142 deg T. (Lat 08-25 N Long 121-41 E).
Appeared to be an explosion and fire.
0309 IK - 0350 IK English voice on 2880 Kcs
using aircraft code. Unable to understand.
0626 IK Made dawn dive.
0705 IK Surfaced.
1119 IK Sighted JOLO Island bearing 148 deg T.
1159 IK Sighted PANGUTARAN Island bearing 180
deg T.
1243 IK Sighted sail bearing 259 deg T.
(Surface Contact No. 24). Avoided.
1300 IK Set all ship's clocks back one-half hour
to conform with -9 ZT.
1448 I Sighted CAP Island bearing 188 deg T.
1530 I Sighted LAPARAN Island bearing 184 deg T.
1620 I Sighted TAWITAWI Island bearing 175 deg T.
1623 I Sighted PEARL Bank Light bearing 219 deg T.
1745 I Completed transit of passage between DOCCAN
Island and PEARL Bank.
1746 I Sighted BONGAO Island.
2056 I Sighted SIBUTU Island.
2350 I Completed transit of SIBUTU Passage.
18 July, 1944
0610 I Made dawn dive.
0645 I Surfaced.
0741 I SD radar contact at 8 miles. (Plane
Contact No. 8). Made quick dive. Range closed
to 4 miles while diving.
0747 I Received one depth bomb. Not too close.
Set shallow. No damage.
0920 I Sighted plane similar to contact No. 8 by
periscope. (Plane Contact No. 9).
1143 I Surfaced.
1144 I Sighted plane similar to contact No. * at
5 miles, heading in. (Plane Contact No. 10).
Made running dive.
1928 I Surfaced.
19 July, 1944
0540 I Passed SOUTH WATCHER Island abeam to
port.
0628 I Made dawn dive.
0657 I Surfaced.
0730 I Crossed Equator at Longitude 119-13 E.
1327 I Sighted sail bearing 155 deg T. (Surface
Contact No. 26). Avoided.
1705 I Sighted two sails bearing 154 deg T.
(Surface Contact No. 27).
20 July, 1944
0353 I Interference on SJ radar similar to our
own SJ radar believed to be USS PUFFER or USS RAY.
0634 I Made dawn dive.
0703 I Surfaced.
0753 I Sighted shears of a submarine bearing 310
deg T. (Surface Contact No. 29). Closed to
communicate with friendly submarine and at 0849 I
in communication with USS RAY by light and voice
radio. Agreed to search area to southard and RAY
to search area to northard of eastern 100 fathom
curve of BORNEO Bank.
1044 I Sighted large flying boat at 15 miles.
(Plane Contact No. 11). Made quick dive.
1139 I Surfaced.
1528 I Having covered area as thoroughly as
possible to southard with no contact, ran down
the reverse of possible convoy route.
1804 I Sighted BUTONG BUTONGANG Island bearing
177 deg T.
1833 I Sighted sail bearing 116 deg T. (Surface
Contact No. 29).
1850 I Sighted MORASINDEH Island bearing 151 deg T.
2346 I SJ radar contact bearing 215 deg T, range
2,750 yards. Believed to be a small sail.
(Surface Contact No. 30). Lost contact 12
minutes later.
21 July, 1944
0627 I Made dawn dive.
0710 I Surfaced.
0741 I Sighted LOMBOK Island bearing 195 deg T.
0802 I Sighted sail bearing 347 deg T. (Surface
Contact No. 31).
0933 I Sighted BALI Island bearing 244 deg T.
0945 I Sighted sail bearing 195 deg T. (Surface
Contact No. 32).
1515 I sighted sail bearing 210 deg T. (Surface
Contact No. 33).
1549 I Sighted two sails bearing 195 deg T and
264 deg T. Surface Contact No. 34).
2030 I Commenced transit of LOMBOK Strait.
2135 I Two contacts on SJ radar, 30 deg on each
bow. (Surface Contact No. 35). Tracking and
sighting indicated both to be patrols. Avoided.
2300 I Completed transit of LOMBOK Strait.
2315 I Radar interference on SJ radar dead ahead
similar to own SJ radar, believed to be USS
PUFFER.
22 July, 1944
0030 I SJ radar contact bearing 127 deg T.,
range 5 miles. (Surface Contact No. 36).
0643 I Made dawn dive.
0754 I Surfaced.
1430 I Sighted shears of a submarine bearing 043
deg T, range 12 miles, believed to be USS RAY.
(Surface Contact No. 37).
23 July - 27 July, 1944
Enroute to FREMANTLE. Conducted dawn dives for
trim, daily qualification school, and training of
men in new watches.
C. WEATHER
The weather was excellent throughout the
entire patrol and in general conformed with
the "Sailing Directions." The southeast
monsoon was well developed, and especially in
MAKASSAR Strait and the approaches to LOMBOK
Strait where winds of 25-30 knots were
encountered. Rain was encountered only in
the CELEBES Sea. Some haze was found,
generally when the winds were light and
variable.
D. TIDAL INFOMRATION
No tidal information was obtained. However,
currents caused by the tides agreed with the
current "Tide Tables." In passage from
SIBUTU Passage to LOMBOK Passage vial
MAKASSAR an average southerly set of 1.3
knots was observed. Transit of LOMBOK Strait
was made on a flood tide and no current was
experienced.
E. NATIVATIONAL AIDS
No lighted navigational aids were sighted.
The following lighthouses appeared to be
intact and in their proper position: TALISEI
Island, PEARL Bank, NORTH OBIAN Island,
MANIQUIN Island, and AMBULONG Island.
Two buildings at the base of PEARL Band Light
were observed which were not noted on the
last patrol in this area.
H. ATTACK DATA
No suitable gun or torpedo targets were
encountered.
I. MINES
No mining activity was noted.
J. ANTI-SUBMARINE MEASURES AND EVASION TACTICS
In the forenoon of July 1st while south of
the Barrier, the deliberate bombing and
strafing was believed to have been carried
out by a friendly plane, a BEAUFORT. He was
sighted at about 4 miles headed across our
bow on an irregular course. He was observed
to turn away when about 2 miles away and then
headed in. He allowed too much lead as his
bomb landed ahead. His strafing, which came
from two wing 20MM or .50 Cal. Guns, passed
down our starboard side about 100 feet
distant. No damage was sustained.
The depth charges heard about noon on the 4th
of July about 30 miles southeast of BANGEA
Passage were believed to be nuisance charges
as they were not close nor was there anything
in sight.
The depth bomb received on the morning of 18
July in the CELEBES Sea between SIBUTU and
MAKASSAR Strait was not released until we
were at 120 feet. It felt to be close but
shallow. This plane was very persistent and
stayed in our vicinity the entire morning
successfully keeping us driven down all day.
K. MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE
No. 1 Main Engine was operated throughout the
patrol on 14 cylinders without excess
vibration, smoking, or casualties. This was
necessary due to a casualty which occurred
during the 10th War Patrol. It would not
start by itself. It was necessary to start
it by rolling it with No. 3 Main Engine.
Ten (10) cylinder head holding down studs
carried away during the patrol with a total
loss of 8 engine hours.
On 3 July while on the finishing rate during
the Battery Charge the after bearing on the
port Main Motor cooling blower burned out.
This casualty was caused by the loosening of
the drain plug due to vibration which allowed
the lubricating oil to drain out. The
bearing was renewed with a spare.
This ship was drydocked at Submarine Base
Pearl Harbor the last of March, 1944, upon
the request of the ship to have the sea
valves worked on. During this run the sea
and stop valves to Sludge Tank, Secondary
Drain Pump Forward, and the Officer's Head
leaked excessively. Of four valves on the
Officer's Head flushing line, none would
hold. Sludge Tank sea valves were ground in
and replaced by spares. The Drain Pump
discharge had to be blanked off. All valves
inspected showed signs of excessive corrosion
and pitting and presented the appearance of
not having been worked on since the Navy Yard
overhaul of August 1943. All sea valves need
to be worked on this refit.
L. RADIO
All radio equipment functioned
satisfactorily. The only casualty was a
burned out blower motor for the master
oscillator compartment of the TBL-5 which was
replaced with a spare.
Throughout the patrol, Radio Perth Baker
schedules were copied on 9250 Kcs.
Occasional shifts were made at night to
4370 Kcs due to interference, but
interference was heavy on the latter
frequency as well.
Communication was established with the USS
RAY on the coordinated attack frequency of
2880 Kcs with fair results.
During transmission on 9 July, an attempt to
establish communication on 4235 Kcs was
without success. Upon a shift to 8470 Kcs,
communication was established with Radio
Coonawarra immediately through heavy
Japanese interference. On 16 July
transmission was accomplished on 8470 Kcs
through Radio Honolulu on the first call up,
communication conditions excellent.
First Task Force 71 serial received: Serial
87, 301041 June
Last Task Force 71 serial received: ??
First NAUTILUS transmission: ??
Last NAUTILUS transmission: ??
M. RADAR
SJ Radar
The operation of the SJ radar was very
satisfactory during the entire patrol.
Small boats and sails were picked up at
ranges up to 8,000 yards. Maximum
ranges observed were as follows: Land -
100,000 yards, friendly submarines -
15,000 yards, and rain squalls - 37,000
yards.
The only casualty occurred on the
evening of 6 July when the transmitter
pulse was lost and high current was
drawn. Source of trouble was traced to
a shorted C22 condenser, burned out R36
resistor, and a shorted magnetron. The
faulty elements were replaced and the
transmitter retuned. Total time out of
commission during the patrol was 6.5
hours.
All radar interference encountered is
believed to have been caused by friendly
submarines.
SD Radar
The SD radar operated satisfactorily
throughout the run. The set was tuned
to a frequency of 118.2 MC prior to the
beginning of this patrol. Intermittent
operation was used, operating the set 5
seconds out of each minute. Ranges
obtained on this patrol were much
improved over the previous two patrols.
Maximum ranges observed were as
follows: Planes - 36 miles and land -
50 miles. The average range on
aircraft was 14 miles.
The only casualty other than normal
tube replacement was due to the faulty
head of the SD mast. Prior to
departure on patrol low readings were
obtained on the mast and the trouble
traced to a leak around the vulcanized
head. The head was lifted, the
insulators cleaned, and the head coated
with glyptol. During the patrol the
trouble re-occurred after a series of
all-day dives. The ground readings
were brought up by using sandpaper on
the head and coating with glyptol. The
antenna head should be replaced during
the coming refit.
CUO Radar Detector
The CUO radar detector was operated
when within 30 miles of enemy-held
territory, in the vicinity of suspected
radar installations, and when
interference was observed on the SJ
radar, with negative results. This is
the third patrol that this set has been
operated without success. It is
recommended that the present
installation aboard be replaced by a
newer and different type.
N. SOUND GEAR AND SOUND CONDITIONS
The sound gear performed satisfactorily.
Sound conditions in the area were excellent.
On 8 July while north of SABLAYAN Point the
JP sound gear was able to pick up weak screws
from a patrol vessel before either of the
sets of supersonic gear could establish
contact.
O. DENSITY LAYERS
On the 4th of July while about 30 miles
southeast of BANGKA Passage Latitude 01-0 N
Longitude 125-22 E a 6 deg negative
gradient was observed to extend between 260
feet and 300 feet. This was the only
density layer noted on this patrol.
P. HEALTH, FOOD, AND HABITABILITY
The health of the crew was excellent during
the entire patrol. The only serious casualty
was the compound fracture of the left Tibia
of an Army sergeant received from the
accidental discharge of a .45 Cal. Automatic
pistol. After the second day he was in no
pain and constantly in good spirits. His leg
will have to be reset ;upon hospitalization
ashore.
The twenty-four additional men with a full
load of cargo confined the movements of all
hands. Living conditions were limited. On
all day dives with full cargo and passengers,
CO2 was held down to 1.5 percent by the use
of only one can of CO2 absorbent each day.
The capacity of the air-conditioning units
was sufficient and under the crowded
conditions of loading kept the habitability
good.
The food in general was good and well
prepared. The passengers placed a strain on
the food reserves aboard. Over 550 lbs. Of
canned flour had to be surveyed due to
weevils which cut us very short on bread and
pastries. Due to the inability to draw
ground coffee in DARWIN and the extra men
aboard, the ship was short of coffee for the
last week of the patrol.
Q. PERSONNEL
The state of training off the crew was good.
The performance of duty under combat
conditions and in enemy controlled waters was
excellent and in keeping with the highest
traditions of the Navy. The interest and
enthusiasm of the men in the "gun running
business" left nothing to be desired.
Particularly outstanding and worthy of
special credit during the past three war
patrols were the performance of duty of the
following officers and men:
Lieutenant (jg) H. M. WINNER, USNR, who as
Diving Officer, has consistently maintained
this ship in a perfect diving trim and under
the most strenuous conditions of
compensating for cargo has maintained a trim
without hazard to the ship.
Ensign F. R. PORTERFIELD, USN who as First
Lieutenant and Cargo Officer, has
contributed outstandingly to the success and
smartness of the execution of all special
missions. He has performed his duties with
foresight and in such a competent, skillful,
and highly successful manner as to bring
credit to our policy of appointing enlisted
men to commissioned rank, our Navy, and
himself.
GOODMAN, J. V., CMoMM(PA), USN, and BRUCK,
N. A., CMoMM(PA), who as leading Motor
Machinist Mates in the Engine Room and Petty
Officers in charge of cargo, have diligently
applied themselves to maintaining an
efficient Main Engineering Plant in spite of
its chronic weaknesses and unreliability.
They have contributed outstandingly to the
success of all missions accomplished and
through their industry and interest largely
made the third patrol of this series
possible. Their interest and effort in
handling cargo and its problems have saved
time and materially aided in the successful
completion of all missions in a minimum of
time.
Sixty sessions of qualifications school have
been held since the last refit period.
(a) Number of men on board during patrol - - - - - - - - -- - - 96
(b) Number of men qualified at start of patrol - - - - - - - - 73
(c) Number of men qualified at end of patrol - - - - - - - - - 89
(d) Number of unqualified men making their first patrol - - - - 20
(e) Number of men advanced in rating during patrol - - - - - - - 9
(f) Number off men fully qualified for advancement but without
authority to advance in rating - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -14
R. MILES STEAMED - FUEL USED
Darwin to Barrier 365 Miles* 9,485 Gallons
North of Barrier 4,220 Miles 61,725 Gallons
Barrier to Fremantle 1,490 Miles 26,400 Gallons
*Pit Log Mileage
S. DURATION
Days enroute to Malay Barrier 1 Day
Days north of Malay Barrier 20 Days
Days enroute to Fremantle 6 Days
Days submerged 10 Days
T. FACTORS OF ENDURANCE RREMAINING
TORPEDOES FUEL PROVISIONS PERSONNEL
6-MK14 41,700 10 Days 14 Days
Limiting factor this patrol: Completion
of Missions.
U. REMARKS
At the time of hearing the depth charges on
4 July the ship was at 120 feet depth with
the port shaft out of commission while main
motor cooling blower bearing was being
renewed.
At the request of Lieutenant Commander
Rowe, his party was landed on North Pandan
Island. His recco party reported the site
as ideal for their immediate requirements.
The ship furnished five seven-man, and one
four-man, rubber boats which were left with
the party. The ship did not close the
beach and commence unloading immediately
after surfacing because of the presence of
a sailboat. This boat had apparently
sailed from Sablayan in the morning, to one
or two barrios to the northward, and
returned in the afternoon and evening. It
was last seen to southward of South Pandan
Island haring toward Sablayan.
Colonel Kangleon reported that Japs were in
Lagoma and that fighting was still in
progress - six kilometers from the site
where we were unloading.
During passages through Sibutu, no ships
were seen at anchor off Tawitawi, either
visually or by radar.
If another unsuccessful attempt had been
made to surface on 18 July, we would have
run out of electricity before sunset.
The patrol sighted in Lombok Strait
appeared to be about the size of our YMS,
appeared more bulky than an SC or PC.
Maximum radar range was 13,000 yards.
Nautilus has been underway 87 days out of
the last 94 days and has steamed over
20,300 miles since last refit.
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